House Republicans Claim Czars Are Unconstitutional

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

18 Republican House Members unveiled legislation during a press conference Wednesday afternoon that would require the White House to report directly to Congress before appointing high-level executive branch advisers typically referred to as czars.

The Czar Accountability and Reform Act would prevent funding to offices that are headed, in the words of Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), by any “individual who has been inappropriately appointed to such position…without the advice and consent of the Senate.”

A large poster depicting the faces of the various czars was displayed at the briefing. Upon taking the stage, Rep. Kingston (R-Ga.) remarked, “They look like criminals.”

Rep. Paul Brown (R-Ga.) added that czars are inherently constitutional.

“Article 1, section 1 [of the U.S. constitution states] all legislative authority lies with Congress of the states. We have czars establishing policy … these things are unconstitutional,” said Brown.